Old Chimneys Good King Henry Special Reserve

Brewed by Old Chimneys
Style: Imperial Stout
Diss, England

275m bottle vintage 2006. BB 14.11.2001. Dark fruit, vanilla, molasses, sulfur, alcohol initially on the nose. Some vinous aromas. Dark, melted chocolate. Maybe a touch of soy. Not too much wood presence. Maybe some amaretto. Pours a very pretty, still dark brown with beautiful cherrywood highlights. Flavor is very pleasant. Not to over the top in any respect, but well balanced the whole way through. Chocolate, cocoa, toffee, caramel, a bit of fresh vanilla wood tannin. Slightly spicy, plenty of thick, but never cloying malt. Very little hop presence. Slick and creamy mouth feel without ever being aggressive or over the top in any way. A well crafted impy for sure. Thanks Eben!

2006. Auburn edged black. Molasses and blackberry aroma. Bourbon is obvious in vanilla french toast, and coconut. Warmly toasted malt flavors.

Calm, textured flavor of nougat, blueberries, honey, and red wine. It’s soft and detailed. A lot to find. Sumptuous, silky, chocolate malt flavors; satisfyingly complicated while being reserved enough to not arrest the senses.

Medium-full palate; velvety. Finishes somewhat dryly with some cocoa-like bitterness in the end. Really a lovely show of restraint and complexity.

Bottle. Dark and poured with a small head. Port like flavours fill your mouth then a combination of spices roll around your mouth. I bought this directly fromthe brewery and was recommended to share it with a friend. I didn’t and are very glad that I kept it to myself! Excellent.

Sampled on 2/7/2009. Thanks to Phil for sharing this one. This Imperial Stout pours an eclipse black color from the bottle. Medium sized beige foamy head. The aroma is chocolate and coffee, vanilla and oak. A medium to full bodied Imperial Stout. The malts are chocolate and coffee, with some vanilla and oak. The hops are earthy. Nice balance between the oak, chocolate, coffee and vanilla. Very smooth tasting. Mouthfeel is full and round. Finish is clean and smooth. Aftertaste is slightly bitter.

Bottle shared by PhilL at Bistro DIPA festival. Aroma like a floral imperial stout. Full bodied. Mild carbonation. Flavor is very darkly malty with mild hop. Lovely.

From PhilL’s bottle at Bistro DIPA Fest. This dark brown ale poured without a head, emitting a chocolate aroma. The flavor is roasted malt with chocolate and a hint of coffee and a little carbonation. Very tasty.

Bottle 2006 vintage shared by PhilL poured a clody dark reddish brown with no head. Aromas of bourbon, oak, vanilla, dark chocolate, dark fruit and light coffee. Palate was medium bodied and smooth. Flavors of bourbon, oak, bitter chocolate, coffee, light smoke and some vinous notes with a smooth lingering oaky bittersweet finish.

Thanks PhilL, Pours dark brown, roasted malts, chocolate, vanilla, dark fruits, wood, bourbon.